Tyler's Birthday Party

Tyler's Great Grandma threw him a firetruck birthday party yesterday. It was so much fun. His friend Karly was there and her little sister Brooke. His cousin Arianna was there along with all his Great Aunt's Carla, Chris, and Debbie and uncles Chuck and Tony, Grandma and Granddad, and Uncle (cousin) Jimmy and Ginny. Greatma's friends Mildred, Gertrude, and Dorothy even came! Gertrude made Tyler his birthday cake! It tasted so good! We had party music going such as Great Balls of Fire, The Electric Slide, and the Twist.I read the kids a firetruck book complete with real life effects (fire truck noises). We blew up 15 balloons for the kids to bat around and boy was that a hit! We danced, sang Wheels on the Bus, sang happy birthday, ate sloppy joe's, chicken nuggets, and yummy homemade cake.Then we opened some wonderful birthday gifts that included books, firetrucks (remote control, push, little people w/legos), a fishing pole, coloring mats, new footy PJ's, a nice collared shirt with jeans, candy land shapes game, and $5!!!!

We really had fun being with family and friends.

We even revealed some exciting news...........Tyler is going to be a big brother in May 2010. His t-shirt says, "My mom went to the OB....(a picture of 12wk ultrasound) and all I got was this stinkin' t-shirt." On the back it says COMING SOON MAY 2010. Rated G.

Tyler even points to the shirt and says baby. Although he has really no clue what all of that really means! May 25th is the due date. We've had 4 ultrasounds and even heard the heartbeat on Doppler at 10wks. We are very excited!

Still here!

Wow...where does the time go? We have been having a blast here in Savannah and have enjoyed visitors from Iowa the last few weeks. My cousin Jimmy and his girlfriend Ginny came down and we entertained them with a taste of Savannah, some fishing, Tybee Beach, a Ghost Tour and of course River Street. A week later we did it all again with my Aunt Carla and Uncle Chuck (soon I will post a link to Carla's article about the trip) nothing like pawning off some writing to someone else. We even took a trip to Oatland Island (natural zoo) in Savannah for the first time. Tyler really liked it! It was a lot of walking though. Now Tyler knows what a wolf says....(hoooowwwwl at the moon). It's really cute to see him do it!

Last night we went to Patchville Halloween Event at Savannah Christian Church. There was WAY too much candy...but I really wish I would have stocked up on suckers though...seems to be Tyler's new favorite thing! We borrowed a fireman costume from his friend Coen (it was too big for him this year) and it is perfect on Tyler. At first putting it on was a little traumatic...but after I put a hose in his hand he was LOVING it!

Tyler is talking more and more each day. He finally says milk and more (he used to only sign those two) He still only signs all finished and thank you. We are working on it. He is really a sweet natured loving boy. Scott has been working really hard lately, always close to his phone anyway (addictive crackberry!) Scott and Tyler spend a lot of time together outside batting around balls, in the yard on the tractor lawn mower/sweeper and on trips to Lowe's of course. Tyler and I have many scheduled playdates, do errands together, push the elevator "butt" as he calls it. Pushing the button is a great thrill to a 2 year old! We hit the mall softplay at least once a week and we are still a regular at Kroger!

I can't believe he is going to be 2 in less than a month. He is at such a fun stage and I just love being his mom! Tyler and I are headed to Iowa in November and his Great Grandma is throwing him a fireman birthday party! Hence the fireman Halloween costume...why not double up? We are really looking forward to celebrating with friends and family. We are also getting his first haircut when we are in Iowa. Both Greatma and Grandma will be there to watch. Daddy has to stay back and work (plus I got my ticket with sky miles and Tyler is free until he officially turns 2 on Nov. 25th!) so he will see all the events via video camera!

Any questions?

Baby Shower in Atlanta

We took a quick weekend trip to Atlanta this weekend for a baby shower. Our friends adopted a baby girl a month ago. Her name is Chloe Morgan. It is a really amazing story how God answered prayers and brought this baby to them after years of infertility. They were chosen by word of mouth and it was a private adoption. She was born August 18th and came home from the hospital straight to Clete and Jan's home. She is truly precious and a gift from God. It was great to see them as parents! Here is Tyler and I with the Chloe! and Jan and I at her baby shower above.

This week is a busy week as I prepare to take a MOPS trip to Nashville, TN. We leave Thursday 1pm and don't get back until late Sunday night. The boys will be home all weekend by themselves. Although I will miss them dearly, I am excited for this trip and getting away from home a few days to be a girl (not a mom, not a wife) just a girl!

On another note: I want to ask you all for prayer for marriages in general. It seems Satan is on the attack in Savannah and trying to destroy marriages. I pray that each married couple fights for their marriage and does not let the evil one get a foothold. I love this verse and live by it:

Ephesians 4:26-27 "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. and do not give the devil a foothold.

We must pray for healing, repentance, and restoration in these marriages.

Labor Day Weekend Beach Trip

Lots of Daddy time!

Summer fun looking forward to fall!

Wow, even though I don't work and my child is not in school, I could definitely tell it was summer and am ready to fall into a routine. I'm hoping MOPS does that for me (it starts next week!). We've had such a fun summer and lots of activities. Tyler is so much fun and loves the outdoors, swimming and the boat. Everyday he amazes me, a few weeks ago I was sitting at my vanity getting ready and he took my deodorant and lifted up his shirt and pretended to put it on (just like mommy does). I laughed and almost cried at the same time...those are the moments that make me so thankful that I get to stay home with him!

Updates on Tyler (now 21 months old!!)

-says NO! (still kind of cute...but getting more defiant at the same time)

-says boat, duck, truck, calls a cat....oem (i practice me...ow) but he can't get it right

-says juice and goes to the refrigerator to get juice or milk out himself!

-throws cat food at the cat (gets a spanking!)

-loves tormenting the cat and giggles (yesterday he got bit though...to indentations of cat fangs (didn't break the skin though)
-I bought him a tennis racket and he hits balls all over the yard

-pretty good napper (~3 hrs from 12:30-3:30ish) uses his passie still for sleeping

-his first letter is O. he points out every O he sees on signs.

-we watch GPB everyday and learn letters with Wyatt...On Super Why!

-walk his stroller all over the yard.

-loves puddles and throwing rocks in them

-favorite food...CHEESE PWEESE!

-does great in the nursery at church...jumps into the persons arms when we drop him off...but gets impatient if we take too long picking him up...because he can see other kids are being picked up.

-wears size 8 shoes now and wears 2T clothes

-smells with his nose when he "signs" flower

-blows his nose when we tell him blow...that is huge!

-i just bought him size 5 diapers! at his 18month visit he was off the charts for both weight and height. most people can't believe he's not 2 yet!

-getting better everyday about letting me brush his teeth!

Anyways, we also been going on bike rides and even a family bike ride one Saturday morning. We've had many dock parties with volleyball, water skiing, fishing, Scott even got his sunfish sail boat in the water once (then it rained). We really enjoyed being at home and playing outside this summer! The only traveling we did was our tennis weekend getaway. Tyler and I ventured to Statesboro to Splash 'n the Boro and chilled out in the lazy river.

MOPS starts next Tuesday and I'm so excited for what God is going to in our group! We have such a strong leadership team and so many awesome women! I'm also glad Tyler's nap schedule conforms this year to the time frame. I'm playing women's doubles on Thursday mornings thanks to my babysitting co-op. Every Thursday I have from 8:30 -12 without Tyler...except the 4th Thursday where I watch all the kids! It's really fun and great for me, especially with tennis!

This fall we have a lot going on:

-MOPS and MOPS convention in Sept in Nashville, TN

-Aunt Carla and Uncle Chuck visiting in October

-possibly cousin Jimmy and Ginny visiting in October

-Tyler and I going to Iowa in November (before he turns 2...and using my sky miles!!)

- Grandma and Granddad A. and Bert(dog) coming for Thanksgiving!

-Scott's best buddy Tim getting married in December!

Lot of life to look forward to! I love it!

Weekend Getaway!

(we are the team on the left!)
Scott and I took a trip to Augusta, GA this weekend for my mixed doubles state tournament. We decided to take the trip without Tyler (thanks to the help of his parents!). We had a really great time hanging out with my doubles partner and his girlfriend. We met lots of people from different teams and had a really great time just being together! We went out to eat Saturday at PF Chang's...it was so good! I love the lettuce wraps! My partner and I won four out of five matches...we lost today...guess we were getting tired! We even got to play on stadium court until it started raining! It really made me motivated to get in better shape and play more tennis. Did I mention we had a GREAT time???

We definitely missed Tyler though and can't wait to see him tonight! I heard him saying mommy and mama on the phone and it made my heart smile knowing that he still knows who we are and that he misses and remembers us.

A few hours later: Our homecoming was so heartwarming. When Tyler saw us he jumped out of his seat and hugged us and hugged us and hugged us some more. It was really sweet and it almost brought tears to our eyes. He was SO HAPPY to see us and be with us again. Everything about this weekend was perfect!

Firestation Field Trip

WHAT A FUN DAY! Tyler was a little timid and didn't really want to participate that much...I had to be "crazy" mom to get these few photos of him and the fireman and firewoman. I tried several times to get him to work the fire hose and I also put him up in the truck to pretend drive (which he does ALL the time in our cars!) and he was too scared. :(. Overall a good experience and can't wait to do it again when he's older!

Tyler's Bathroom

A LONG WAY from THIS: